Electrical Engineering with a Year in Industry MEng Hons

Electrical engineering concerns the generation, supply, distribution, application and control of electrical energy. It is also the powerhouse of the manufacturing industry - think of all the electrically powered equipment on a modern production line - without it, industry and the nation would grind to a halt!

Overview

The MEng in Electrical Engineering is a five-year course where you study advanced engineering techniques and also develop additional knowledge in aspects of management and commercial practice within the industry. Students graduating with an MEng degree are seen as highly employable in areas such as distribution, future transport technologies (aerospace, rail, automotive) and industrial process control and automation, and have a 'fast track' route to achieving chartered engineer status with the IET.

The year placement allows you to gain real world experience in engineering, management and commercial practice within industry and is extremely valuable for increasing your employability.

Years one and two

Years one and two follow an identical structure to the BEng Electrical Engineering. Progression to the MEng is dependent on obtaining at least 55% in year two.

Year three

The third year of this course is spent in industry. You will receive support in applying for a year-long placement with an appropriate company. During the placement you will significantly enhance your engineering knowledge and skills. You will have regular meetings with your tutor throughout the year and will remain fully registered with the University.

Year four

MEng students can choose from a range of specialist topics to follow a wide path, or focus on specific technologies. You will also undertake a group project which examines the socio-economic and technical aspects of a major industrial endeavour. An extra insight into the importance of industry and the range of nontechnical factors which influence technical decisions are highlighted in the Group Project module studied by all MEng students.

Year five

You will be able to study state-of-the-art technologies taught by world-leading researchers and industrial engineers. You will undertake an individual research project - probably the most exciting part of the degree - which counts for a third of your final-year mark. In many cases this project contributes to the major industrially related programmes undertaken by the department's research groups. This is where you truly learn to be an engineer!

More information

Year one

Applied Electrical and Electronic Engineering Construction Project

Accounting for one third of the year, this module involves the development of an autonomous vehicle, building on the knowledge acquired within other components of the course. The work will be laboratory based and undertaken in project weeks, providing a break from lectures in each semester.

Computer Aided Engineering

In this module you will start to develop one of the key skills for an engineer – that of being able to program. You will gain the skills required to analyse, design and implement solutions to practical engineering problems through the use of computer aided design tools and the development of software based solutions.

Engineering Mathematics 1

This module introduces you to the algebra of complex numbers providing a key mathematical tool for analysis of linear mathematical and engineering problems. You will have one 3-hour lecture and workshops each week where you will study the complexity of solving general systems of equations using matrix techniques and review the calculus of a single variable.

Information Systems

This module is an introduction to electronic systems and information. It takes a “top down” approach which means you start with the big picture and work towards the more detailed view. You will begin by looking at signals, then analogue/digital systems and then move on to electronic devices and communications systems.

Power and Energy

In this module you will be given an introduction to the fundamental concepts and challenges related to the generation and use of electrical energy, both from traditional and renewable resources, in a world that relies on secure electricity supplies.

The above is a sample of the typical modules that we offer at the date of publication but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. This prospectus may be updated over the duration of the course, as modules may change due to developments in the curriculum or in the research interests of staff.

Year two

Contemporary Engineering Themes

This module introduces a variety of themes that are at the forefront of contemporary electrical and electronic engineering systems. The presentations will cover critical technological enablers and breakthroughs and their commercial and socio-economic impact, which drive the engineering research and development process.

This provides a broader context for the material covered in the co-requisite modules. The topics covered will vary each year and typical subjects might include:

Smart Grids

Bio-sensing

Medical Electronics

Photonics

Electric Transportation

The Internet of Things

Electrical Energy Conditioning and Control

This module provides an introduction to the underpinning technologies for the conditioning, control and conversion of electrical energy. The topics covered in this module include power electronics, control, electrical machines and renewable energy.

Electronic Processing and Communications

In this module you will study intermediate level electronic analogue circuits and their use within more complex systems. You will also learn about digital design techniques and software tools and communications systems. The final topic that this module covers is the sources and impact of noise and interference – a key topic for any electrical and electronic engineer.

Modelling: Methods and Tools

Electrical and electronic engineers are often required to analyse and solve the problems they encounter. This module gives you the skills to start modelling these problems yourself and includes the required mathematical background as well as the application of suitable software tools.

Some topics covered in this module include analysis techniques for dynamic systems with application to communications and control theory, analysis techniques for digital systems and statistical analysis of signals and data.

Practical Engineering Design Solutions and Project Development

This module acts as a partner to the lecture modules in the second year. It gives you the chance to put your theoretical knowledge into practice through a selected range of activities drawn from the design and development cycle. You will undertake two group projects, one drawn from the power and energy theme the other from the electronics and communications theme.

The above is a sample of the typical modules that we offer at the date of publication but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. This prospectus may be updated over the duration of the course, as modules may change due to developments in the curriculum or in the research interests of staff.

Industrial year

A year in industry placement develops additional knowledge in aspects of management and commercial practice within industry.

Year four

Core

Power Electronic Applications and Control

Providing an understanding of the operational principles of power electronic converters and their associated systems, this module covers: 3-phase naturally commutated ac-dc/dc-ac converters, capacitive and inductive smoothing - device ratings, dc-ac PWM inverters and modulation strategies, resonant converters, high power factor utility interface circuits and power converter topologies for high power (multilevel). You’ll have two one-hour lectures per week.

Professional Studies

This module introduces a diverse set of topics that a graduate engineer is likely to encounter upon entering employment. This will equip them with the knowledge to be able to write and assess rudimentary business plans and make informed decisions about product and business development. It includes various models, tools and concepts that are common within the business community including: Belbin’s model of team formation, the appropriate use of PEST and SWOT analysis, the basics of marketing, the product life cycle, technology audits, sources of finance, intellectual property, ethics and product design. The generation of an idea for a new product and its development into a Business Plan serves as both the primary means of assessment and a way of discussing topics in a meaningful setting.

Advanced Engineering Mathematics

This module covers advanced analytic mathematical techniques used to provide exact or approximate solutions to common classes of ordinary differential equations (ODES) typical in Engineering. Techniques covered include: method of variation of parameters, Laplace transform methods, Taylor series method, Frobenius method, asymptotic regular perturbations and strained coordinates and multiple scales. Each week there will normally be one 1-hour lecture and a two-hour workshop to introduce key mathematical knowledge on module topics.

Electrical Machines, Drive Systems and Applications

This module provides you with an understanding of the operational characteristics of common electrical machines (dc, ac induction, ac synchronous and stepping). Both theoretical and practical characteristics are covered including: electromagnetic theory applied to electrical machines, principles and structure of dc machines - commutation effects, principles and structure of induction machines, principles and structure of synchronous machines, parameterisation for performance prediction and machine testing and evaluation. You’ll have two one-hour lectures per week, supplemented with practical demonstrations for study of this module.

Group Project

This is a problem-based group design project which focuses on the application of knowledge and skills, from across the taught modules. Groups develop and cost a major civil engineering project and plan resources to ensure timely and cost-effective completion of the work. Then a design of an engineering structure will be carried out, including presentation of options and a detailed design stage. The final task will be to design and construct a model structure, which will be tested in the laboratory.

Optional

Analogue Electronics

The module provides students with the necessary background information so that they can specify RF and microwave components for applications in telecommunications, and the knowledge to design simple wireless systems such as an one transistor amplifier. The origins and effects of noise in electronic circuits are introduced. This module covers the design and analysis of electronic systems used in telecommunications, particularly wireless devices. Devices covered typically include amplifiers, oscillators, phase-locked loops, mixers and filters.

Digital Communications

This module is an introduction to the operation of modern digital communication systems. During two one-hour lectures each week, you’ll cover topics such as: communication systems, information content and channel capacity, digital modulation techniques, data compression techniques, error-correcting and line coding techniques, digital signal regeneration techniques and system examples.

Embedded Computing

This module aims to introduce principal generic and distinctive features of embedded computing, and develop practical skills in designing firmware for PIC16 microcontrollers using assembly language. You'll have a two-hour lecture each week for study of this module.

Integrated Circuits and Systems

Introduces the main principles of integrated circuits (IC) design for digital electronic systems. This is based around CMOS technology that is used to fabricate the majority of ICs today. Internal operation of typical electronic and optoelectronic semiconductor devices is introduced.

IT Infrastructure and Cyber Security

Providing you with the skills required to commission a complete IT system, this module provides information on network design and implementation, services, security and management of systems. You’ll be introduced to new uses of IT infrastructure (such as VoIP) and will have one one-hour lecture per week.

Mobile Technologies

This module provides the knowledge of the fundamentals of mobile communications and its application to real systems.

The above is a sample of the typical modules that we offer at the date of publication but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. This prospectus may be updated over the duration of the course, as modules may change due to developments in the curriculum or in the research interests of staff.

Year five

Core

Industrial/Research Orientated Project

You’ll work on an individual project of direct industrial or research relevance which will be undertaken in collaboration with a suitable company, or research group within the University. The normal expectation is that the project specification will be drawn up following consultation between you, your project supervisor and an advisor at the collaborating company. You’ll work under the supervision of a member of staff with weekly individual tutorials and where appropriate will maintain contact with the collaborating company through meetings and visits.

Optional

Advanced Control

This module covers a range of advanced control techniques used in a wide range of engineering applications. Typical topics include multivariable state space modelling, linear and nonlinear systems, continuous and discrete domains and observer theory.

Advanced Power Electronics

This module covers the design of power electronic converters for real applications. Both component-level design and the impact of non-idealities on modelling and operation are considered.

Applied Computational Engineering

This module covers the development of advanced engineering software projects, spanning a range of application areas. Generic topics to be discussed include: Large-scale software management, robust design and coding techniques, accurate and efficient numerical computing for technological simulations, parallel computing techniques applicable to several classes of parallel computer e. multicore, distributed and graphics processing unit (GPU) based systems, database design and implementation. You’ll have a two-hour lecture each week to study for this module.

Distributed Generation and Alternative Energy

This module aims to give an understanding of the operation of power systems which incorporate significant input from renewable energy generators, especially wind power systems and will enable design and analysis of such systems.

HDL for Programmable Devices

This module introduces both the syntax and application of HDL for the design of modern electronics. That would typically cover Xilinx, Mentor Graphics, and combinational and sequential circuits design. The module will use the software tools from both Xilinx and Mentor Graphics to present FPGA based digital system design flow with VHDL.

Instrumentation and Measurement

The aim of this module is to develop a broad understanding of instrumentation techniques which are used in a wide range of engineering applications. Topics taught will include: the physics and mathematics of sensor action, measurement errors and their control, data conditioning and conversion hardware and relevant signal processing techniques. You’ll spend two hours in lectures each week as well as completing coursework for study of this module.

Microwave, Millimetre and Terahertz Systems

This module introduces typical analytical, computational and experimental tools used in the study of electromagnetic fields and high frequency devices. Fundamentals of electromagnetic wave propagation and typical passive microwave devices such as metal waveguides and devices in printed circuit technology as also introduced.

Optical and Photonic Technology

This module covers selected topics from the interface between electronic and optical regimes. Issues regarding component, circuit and system design with applications to communications, material processing, bio-photonics and optical imaging are covered.

Power Systems for Aerospace, Marine and Automotive Applications

This module aims to develop an understanding of the design and operation of power systems in aerospace, marine and automotive applications. With the introduction of more electrical technologies in these application areas, the understanding and expected performance of the power system has become a critical platform design issue. You’ll have five blocks of four hour lectures to study for this module.

RF Electronics

This module covers the main concepts in design of high-speed circuits and devices. These typically include passive circuits, amplifiers and active devices.

The above is a sample of the typical modules that we offer at the date of publication but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. This prospectus may be updated over the duration of the course, as modules may change due to developments in the curriculum or in the research interests of staff.

Careers

Students following this degree can move into challenging and exciting careers in power distribution, future transport technologies (aerospace, rail, automotive) and industrial process control and automation.

Professional accreditation

This degree has been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Average starting salary and career progression

100% of undergraduates from the department who were available for employment had secured work or further study within six months of graduation. The average starting salary was £26,750.*

*Known destinations for full-time home undergraduate, 2016/17. Salaries are calculated based on the median of those in full-time paid employment within the UK.

Careers support and advice

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2019, High Fliers Research).

Fees and funding

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Related courses

DisclaimerThis online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.

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